Cal football: News, notes and reaction from the first week of training camp

*** The decision to name graduate transfer Davis Webb the starting quarterback the morning of the fourth day of camp was not unexpected. Coach Sonny Dykes hinted late last month that the situation would likely be resolved quickly when he said separation could happen “the first practice.”

OK, so it took three.

It sure seems like terrific news for the Bears.

It means Webb will have three and a half weeks of first-team repetitions, allowing him to get far more comfortable with the receivers (also new) than he would if splitting reps.

It also gives the coaching staff, which has a new playcaller in Jake Spavital, plenty of time to tweak the offense to suit Webb’s strengths.

In short: It gives the Bears a better chance to succeed early.

*** But there is a two-front downside, not only to naming Davis so early but to having Davis on the roster in the first place:

1) Inexperienced backups Ross Bowers and Chase Forrest will have fewer snaps in practice to prepare for an emergency role (i.e., Webb gets injured), and

2) The development of Bowers/Forrest for next season is largely, and perhaps completely, delayed.

That’s the risk you take with graduate transfer quarterbacks: The immediate payoff (wins) outweighs the cost of delaying the progress of QBs in the system for next year and beyond.

Don’t discount the potential for a double-whammy: The Bears don’t win this season with Webb, and they’re stuck with a rookie next year.

It’s risky, no doubt. But if you’re Dykes and Webb comes calling with his 46 TD passes in the Big 12, you have to take him.

*** Webb’s ascent to No. 1 doesn’t bring the quarterback competition to a close, not by any means.

Bowers and Forrest will continue competing — for the backup spot this season and, by extension, for the role of frontrunner next spring: The No. 2 will have more snaps in practice and thus be better positioned to win the starting job in ’17.

As Dykes said, “It’s a big decision.”

And it might require several weeks of evaluation.

*** David Davis, a candidate for the defensive tackle rotation, is awaiting word from the NCAA on his request for a sixth season of eligibility.

Davis is allowed to practice while the process unfolds, except he didn’t practice late in the week – indicating there’s something else at play.

“We’re waiting on some things,’’ Dykes said.

*** Dykes on lauded freshman receiver Demetris Robertson: “He has a lot of work to do.”

*** Trey Turner and Cameron Walker are competing for the starting nickel spot.

*** Cornerback A.J. Greathouse had shoulder surgery over the summer and is done for the year.

*** If the season started today ….

Patrick Worstell, a senior from San Ramon Valley HS, would be the starting X receiver.

Sophomore Addison Ooms is “slightly ahead” in the center competition, per offensive line coach Brandon Jones.

Jeremiah Stuckey, the transfer from Texas A&M, is the frontrunner at right guard.

*** Receiver Carlos Strickland will transfer closer to his Dallas home for personal reasons. The former four-star recruit was in line for a spot in the rotation.